News
Museum, library boards stress need for new heat and air unit
Jimmy Potts Tribune Reporter The Chanute Library Board and the Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum Board on Monday each pushed for spending potential funds from a Transportation Enhancement Grant on a new heating and air conditioning system. Although two different governing bodies, each agreed that a new heating and air conditioning system is the highest priority when it comes to allocating potential grant funds from the Kansas Department of...
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City Commission backs proposed senior facility
Jimmy Potts Tribune Reporter The Chanute City Commission unanimously (3-0) approved granting 14 acres of land to the Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center Foundation (NMRMC) for construction of a revolutionary senior living facility. The 14 acres given by the City Commission comes with strings attached, meaning the NMRMC will only receive the land if Chanute meets the requirements to receive grants from the United States Agriculture Departme...
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Mo Gideon Used Books has art, new books
Joshua Vail Tribune Reporter “Mo” Gideon Used Books has more than just used books. The bookstore, located at 0 1/2 W. Main in Chanute since June 12, currently has art prints and antique art books for sale, including several 1802 Greek art prints by Nicolas Xavier W√≠llemen, a famous French copper engraver. “These art prints are 213 years old,” store owner Mary Gideon said. The prints are being sold for the estate of Dr. Jack Kensinger, who...
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Jacobs to appear on KOAM TV
Nikki Jacobs of the Chanute-based Autism Hope for Families will be interviewed on the Channel 7 KOAM TV morning show at 6:50 a.m. Wednesday. KOAM posted a request to its Facebook page asking “What’s Right in the 4-States” looking for stories about people who are making a difference in their communities in Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri. Nikki’s husband, Phil Jacobs, sent them information about his wife and Autism Hope for Families....
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Chanute Police seek ‘persons of interest’ in fire investigation
Jimmy Potts Tribune Reporter Chanute Police identified Brian Shields and Michelle Voorhees as persons of interest and wanted for questioning regarding a Jan. 25 house fire where city officials later found human remains. Chanute Police Department (CPD) advises residents not to approach Michelle Dawn Voorhees, white female, 21, or Brian Christopher Shields, white male, 26, just to call the CPD, (620) 431-5768. According to the Kansas Department ...
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Update: Two sought for questioning
Chanute police have identified two persons of interest and wanted for questioning in the fire and death investigation at 221 N. Lafayette. Information is sought for the whereabouts of Brian Shields, 26, and Michelle Voorhees, 21. Authorities warn they could be dangerous and not to approach them, but rather call police, 431-5768.
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Chanute students winner, runner-up in Neosho County spelling bee
Joshua Vail Tribune Reporter ERIE — Royster Middle School student Angelo Andoyo won the Neosho County Spelling Bee Friday. St. Patrick’s Catholic School student Rosebelle Toledo was the runner-up. The spelling bee had 12 participants and was held in the Erie High School auditorium. The pronouncer was Royster teacher Angie Sauerwein, and the judges were Jean Cross with St. Patrick’s Catholic School and Nancy Schultz from Erie Elementary. Th...
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Missing woman victim of fire
Jimmy Potts Tribune Reporter Chanute Police have identified a body found in the rubble of a Jan. 25 house fire as Cristy K. Thomas- Wiles of Chanute. It was also announced the investigation is focused on aggravated arson and first-degree murder. The update from the CPD came one day after it solicited the public for information regarding locating missing 36-year-old Cristy K. Thomas-Wiles. Chanute Public Safety Director Sam Budreau originally ...
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Drug testing legislation could benefit health dept.
Jimmy Potts Tribune Reporter The Neosho County Health Department could greatly benefit from the passage of Senate Bill 149, which orders drug screenings for Kansans receiving food stamps or unemployment. State Senate Bill 149 (SB 149), introduced by Republican Kansas State Senator Jeff King of Independence, calls for the drug screens for those receiving temporary assistance for needy families and unemployment payments. A failed drug test woul...
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Chanute elderly’s living options may increase The Chanute City Commission on Monday will hear a proposal form Asbury Park and Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center (NMRMC) Foundation regarding creation of a senior living campus
Chanute elderly’s living options may increase The Chanute City Commission on Monday will hear a proposal form Asbury Park and Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center (NMRMC) Foundation regarding creation of a senior living campus. The commission will hear the presentation after NMRMC officials could not present the project at the last meeting due to illness. City Manager J.D. Lester said creation of a senior living campus is essential for kee...
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CHS’ Babcock a semifinalist for National Teacher Hall of Fame
Joshua Vail Tribune Reporter Chanute High School math teacher Rex Babcock is one of 20 semifinalists for the National Teacher Hall of Fame. Babcock has been teaching in Chanute for 34 years. He taught five years in Arkansas. “Next year will be my 40th year in public education,” he said. Babock was inducted into the Kansas Teacher Hall of Fame in 2009 in Dodge City. The application process involved providing basic information like degrees and ...
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Update: Body identified
Investigators have now identified the person that was found at the scene of the fire at 221 N. Lafayette as Cristy K. Wiles of Chanute. At this time, the investigation is focused on Aggravated Arson and First Degree Murder. The Tribune received an obituary notice late Friday afternoon for Cristy Kay Thomas, 36, of Independence, which stated she died in a house fire in Chanute, but did not specify the date of the fire. A memorial service is pl...
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Soupline recipe a good one
Jimmy Potts Tribune reporter The breezy, overcast climate created the perfect atmosphere for another successful Operation Soupline Thursday, which raised money for emergency or utility assistance for local residents. In its 31st incarnation, Operation Soupline had the Masonic Hall on 102 S. Highland packed for most of the day in hopes of surpassing the 3,434 meals served in 2012. The fundraiser began at 11 a.m. and after four hours of operatio...
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Library lines up Valentine’s Day themed events
Jimmy Potts Tribune Reporter The Chanute Public Library hopes to broaden the horizons and liven the taste buds of its patrons with Valentine’s Day themed events set for next week. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Friends of Chanute Library will hold its All Things Chocolate Fundraiser next Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The fundraiser gives the Friends of Chanute Library the opportunity to sell its chocolate confections to support the...
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Cristy Thomas-Wiles
Chanute police seek information on missing person
Chanute police this morning issued a release asking for assistance in locating a missing person. Investigators are continuing to pursue leads connected to the body found Wednesday at the fire scene at 221 N. Lafayette. Attempts are being made to locate Cristy K. Thomas Wiles, 36. Anyone who has information in regard to this missing person is asked to contact the Chanute Police Department (620) 431-5768.
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Body found at scene of Lafayette fire
Jimmy Potts Tribune Reporter A Jan. 25 fire claimed more than just a house on 221 N. Lafayette. On Wednesday Chanute Police Department (CPD) and Fire Department (CFD) officials found human remains inside the rubble. The Neosho County Sheriff’s Department and Kansas Fire Marshal’s Office (KFMO) are assisting the Chanute authorities with the investigation, which led to a temporary shutdown of sections of Lafayette and Walnut Streets. “This morni...
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Authorities still on look out for police imposter
Authorities say police impostor may be in western Kansas Authorities are asking again for help finding an ex-convict who’s been traveling around Kansas posing as a law enforcement officer and cashing phony personal and payroll checks. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation released a list Tuesday of 24 cities throughout the state where 45-year-old Robert Wayne Helms, of Pittsburg, has pulled the scam. Information indicates Helms has recently be...
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Rec Commission seeking new member
Jimmy Potts Tribune Reporter The Chanute Recreation Commission has a few open positions after discussing the commissioner and recreation superintendent positions during an executive session of a special meeting Monday. The departure of a current Recreation Commissioner Don Everly and Recreation Superintendent Mark Schoelmehl has the commission looking for a few good, local men or women to fill the vacancies. During Monday’s special meeting to...
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School board hears reports on teacher evaluation, data collection
Joshua Vail Tribune Reporter At its Feb. 4 regular meeting Monday, the USD 413 School Board heard reports from Superintendent James Hardy on the Kansas Educator Evaluation Protocol (KEEP) and the school district’s structured walkthrough system. KEEP is one of two teacher evaluation programs for Kansas schools. Schools must pilot a state approved teacher evaluation program this fall. The school board must make a decision at the March board mee...
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Royster compiling memories scrapbook
A display is being created of the history of Royster, from when it was a junior high to its transformation to a middle school. “We would like community members to contribute with any pictures, memories they would like to share, or artifacts they would like to share for short term or long term or permanent loan,” said Nancy Brooks, Royster Middle School librarian, who along with Principal Brad Miner came up with the idea to compile a history o...
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